GOP makes a move on the issues in Pledge to American

A new pledge to America from Republicans was unveiled to give voters on the fence a reason to take a look at the energized GOP and change the balance of power in Washington.

The 21-page plan put forth to a weary electorate begins with, “America is an idea- an idea that free people can govern themselves, that government’s powers are derived from the consent of the governed, that each of us is endowed by their Creator with the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Sound familiar? It should it is taken from America’s founding fathers and has been used by many of the tea party organizations from California to New York. It’s simple, straightforward and what dismayed voters are looking for – a smaller, leaner and more responsible government.

Will the GOP blueprint help or hurt the Republicans in 40 days? No one really knows as both parties are claiming they can use it to their advantage. However, the Democrats will most likely succumb to the country’s first political tsunami since the 1994 Newt Gingrich revolution.

Some of the hallmarks Republican lawmakers are calling for include the government’s need to slash spending, repeal Obama’s signature piece of healthcare legislation as well as preventing the Bush tax cuts to expire.

Top GOP leaders also came up with ideas to help Americans get back on their feet. Specifically there are plans for job creation, reforms to curb “out-of-control” spending, repealing and replacing “the government takeover of healthcare,” adding real government transparency, providing more stringent homeland security measures, securing the southern borders and allowing states to enforce illegal immigration.

The document looks to inspire the swing voters and even quotes Democratic President John F. Kennedy, “An economy constrained by high tax rates will never produce enough revenue to balance the budget, just as it will never create enough jobs.”

The roll out of the Pledge to America admits politicians haven’t listened to the people and many of them have imposed a party agenda that doesn’t reflect the folks on Main Street. Clearly, the angry voters are not happy with all the backroom dealing elected officials participate in to ensure their reelections.

Other points listed in the document include ensuring terrorists are kept out of America, imposing a freeze on federal hiring for non-security related employees, cut the Congressional budget, reduce government spending to “pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels,” and get the government out of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in an effort to let banks lend money to worthy buyers who are good credit risks.

While the familiar ideas read well, critics say the 21-page change in course is short on details and puts forth no specifics to accomplish the real change Republican’s claim are needed in Washington.

In an effort to resonate with the tea party organization, nostalgic prose weaves its way throughout the document. “America is an inspiration to those who yearn to be free and have the ability and the dignity to determine their own destiny.” So far the tea party movement hasn’t commented on the new pledge.

While the Pledge to America harkens back to the founding fathers, irritated voters are still not convinced the Republicans have what it takes to return to their common-sense conservative roots. So far it has been the electricity provided by the tea party candidates that has sparked a reemergence of “for the people, by the people” attitude.

As a result, status quo politicians need not apply for the 2010 midterms and as such the founding fathers may actually be proud of the electoral enthusiasm demonstrated by ordinary Americans, who have shown they are not so ordinary after all.